FIDE World Chess Championship Final Match to be Held in Singapore: Gukesh vs Ding Liren
The World Chess Championship Final Match between India’s D. Gukesh and Ding Liren of China is set to take place in Singapore between November 20 and December 15 this year, announced the International Chess Federation or FIDE on Monday.
The Singapore Chess Federation, with the support of the Government of Singapore, has successfully secured the bid to host the prestigious FIDE World Championship Match 2024. Gukesh earned the right to challenge defending Champion Ding Liren after emerging victorious in the Candidates Tournament Canada a few months ago.
FIDE received competitive applications from New Delhi (India), Chennai (Tamil Nadu Government), and Singapore to host the World Championship Match. After careful consideration of various factors such as venues, amenities, event programmes, and player preferences, Singapore was chosen as the host city.
While FIDE did not disclose the specific reasons for selecting Singapore over India’s bids, it is speculated that Ding Liren may have reservations about playing in India, the home country of his challenger. The defending champion’s opinion often plays a significant role in determining the match venue.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed his excitement about hosting the World Championship Match in Singapore for the first time, highlighting the city-state’s status as a global chess hub with immense potential. He also acknowledged the strong chess legacy of New Delhi and Chennai, hinting at future chess events in these cities.
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky emphasized the strategic partnership opportunities for multinational companies to enhance the event’s success in Singapore. The Match, featuring a prize fund of $2.5 million, is expected to attract chess enthusiasts and corporate sponsors alike.
The final decision on the exact venue for the Match will be announced soon, with four potential locations under consideration. Stay tuned for more updates on this historic chess showdown in Singapore.